NGA's taste of AFLX

Being able to work with Pykey and Campo allowed us to gain some knowledge on what AFL coaches expect in terms of improving our skills to ensure that we progress with our football careers.

Daniel Sladojevic

The Crows Next Generation Academy (NGA) Elite Talent Squad will get a taste of AFLX this week ahead of the game’s official debut at Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide on Thursday night.

AFLX has been developed by the AFL to showcase some of the most thrilling elements of Australian Football to help attract new fans to the game.

Players Wayne Milera, Jordan Gallucci and Ben Jarman will be on hand to provide guidance to the NGA squad as they have a go at the new express format of the game on Tuesday night.

Crows Senior Coach Don Pyke and Senior Assistant Scott Camporeale have also recently spent time with Academy group, helping them to hone their skills and get a feel for the fast pace of the hybrid game.

The opportunity to have direct access to senior AFL coaches was not lost on squad member Daniel Sladojevic, who is in his second season with the Crows Academy.

“Being able to work with Pykey and Campo allowed us to gain some knowledge on what AFL coaches expect in terms of improving our skills to ensure that we progress with our football careers,” Sladojevic said.

“It was a privilege and honour to have them join our Academy AFLX preparations.”

The X in AFLX relates to the roman numeral character for the number ten which is a constant throughout the tournament.

Teams will consist of ten players (seven on the field, with the bench to have unlimited rotations), with ten-point ‘Zooper’ goals for any goals kicked from beyond 40 metres out.

The game is played on a rectangular field and consist of ten-minute halves.

The NGA Elite Talent Squad consists of approximately 50 players from all backgrounds and is designed to give them an opportunity to train in an elite environment at the Adelaide Football Club.

Players selected in the squad are recommended by the four SANFL clubs which are aligned to the Crows under the NGA concept - being Central District, Sturt, Glenelg and North Adelaide.